The Coromandel: Where the Kiwis Come to Play

It’s not unusual to be handed a shovel at the beach, but a heavy duty four-foot-long metal shovel with the heft to suggest we are heading to a quarry is a bit of a surprise. Welcome to Hot Water Beach, where for two hours on either side of high or low tide visitors must dig if they want to access the thermal waters located just below the golden sands. The reward? A natural jacuzzi right next to the cool, ocean water.

Hot Water Beach is one of those unique experiences you must see (and feel) to believe. The same can be said for much of The Coromandel—a region of New Zealand’s North Island that has mostly escaped international attention.

Guests who venture two hours east of Auckland will find a relaxed, authentically Kiwi experience awaits them. It’s the place New Zealanders head to for nature hikes, farm-to- table meals and quiet contemplation. Start with a soak at Hot Water Beach. Then, make your way to one of these Coromandel water-lover classics.

The Lost Spring Geo-Thermal Pools

If you prefer your thermal waters without the arm workout, reserve time at The Lost Spring in Whitianga. The property is the vision of Founder, Alan Hopping, who sought out the water source after hearing the legend of the lost spring of Taputapuatea. Millions of investment dollars later, The Lost Spring is a collection of pools (ranging from 89 to 105.8 °F / 31.6 to 40.5 °C) set in caves and grottos under a natural canopy of native flora. The property’s 1.4 hectares also boast a full-service, tree-top spa and restaurant.  The pools operate on weekends only, but the restaurant and spa are open on Thursday as well.

Cathedral Cove 

The scallop of sand that marks Cathedral Cove feels like a well-earned reward for those who’ve made their way here through the turquoise and teal waters of the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve. The relaxed double kayak paddle over with Cathedral Cove Kayaks Tours leaves space to ogle sea caves and towering cliffs. But from the moment you spot the stone arch that gives the beach its name, you understand why it was recently named one of The World’s 50 Best Beaches. During your visit, there’s time to scope out a spot and settle in with provided snacks, or go for a walk to explore the serene, crowd-free, natural setting.

Glass Bottom Boat Tour

A tour with Glass Bottom Boat Whitianga showcases the wonders of the Coromandel coastline beyond Cathedral Cove. Operating four times daily from December to February and two times daily the rest of the year, the tour is an opportunity for owners Mark and Hayley Jones to share their passion for the ocean. You’ll swing by sea caves, including the Orua Sea Cave, one of the nation’s largest, and spot local sea life, from red snapper to leatherjackets, crayfish to octopus. If you’re lucky, you might even spot blue penguins along the shoreline or dolphins joining you on the journey. The trip leaves you with a fuller appreciation of the region’s wonders by land and sea.

By Heather Greenwood Davis